Propeller



2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. W.A FLOWERS v'M. J. FOX. PROPELLBR.

Patented Aug. 6,1895.

(No Model.)

4Il. 6. 3 Vt ma f .a a

M a M ,17

(No Model.) l 2 Sheets--Sheet 2. J; W. FLOWERS 8v M. J. FOX

PROPELLER.

latented Aug. 6, 1895.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JULIUS'W. FLOWERS AND MINOR J. FOX, OF NEWPORT, OREGON.

PROPELLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 543,860, dated August 6, 1895.

r Application filed August 17, 1894. Serial No. 520,647- (No model.)

To aZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, JULIUs W. FLOWERS and MINOR J. FOX, citizens of the United States, and residents of Newport, in the county of Lincolnand State of Oregon, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Propellers; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in propellers, and has for its object, among others, to provide a simple, yet most effective, propeller having revoluble tlukes or blades for the purpose of reversing the movement of the propeller.

The invention embodies various novel features of construction, all of which tend to produce a better result.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention, in this instance, resides in the peculiarities of construction and in the novel combinations, arrangements, and adaptation of parts, all of them more fully hereinafter described, shown in the drawings, and then particularly pointed out in the accompanying claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the numerals marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a propeller and the mechanism therefor embodying the 5o end of which is designed to be connected with Y present invention.' Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal horizontal section through the device. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the blades. Fig. 4 is a detail section taken transversely through the hub. Fig. 5 is a sectional View on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

Referring now to the details of the drawings by numerals, 1 designates the main shaft, which is preferably a solidv shaft, the inner the engine in any suitable manner. One form of such connection is herein shown, which is seen in Fig. 2, in which 2 represents a squared end of the said shaft, which ts a correspondingly-shaped socket or recess or mortise in the coupling 4, which coupling is connected with the shaft 5, which in turnv is connected with the engine. This squared end of the main shaft is designed to Ahave slightendwise movement in the mortise of the coupling. This coupling itself may be of any suitable form of construction. It is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 as composed of the two parts connected by the bolts and nuts G in the usual manner. The opposite end of this shaft is screw-threaded, as seen at 7 in Fig. 2, and upon this end of the shaft is threaded the grab 8, as shownin Fig. 2.

9 is a sleeve surrounding the shaft 1, as seen in Fig. 2, which sleeve has a slot 10, extending lengthwise thereof, and in which travels a stud or pin 11, extending from the shaft 1, as seen best in Fig. 2. The head 8 is what we term a grabj and it has the radial arms 12, which are n otchedor toothed, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, to engage notches 13 in the shanks 14 of the blades or dukes 15 as seen in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. These shanks are revolubly mounted in the head or hub 20, which is substantially spherical in'sliape, and is made in sections which are detachably connected together by means of turn-buttons or analogous devices 21, as seen best in Figs. 1 and 2. These turn-buttons serve also as stops to limit the movement of the' shanks of the -Iiukes by engagement with the shoulders 22 tween the end of the sleeve 9 and a collar 33a suitably held on the end of the shaft 1, this spring tending normally to hold the shaft 1 IOO inward and keep the grab in engagement with the linkes and prevent revolution of the fl-nkes independent of the other parts.

23 is a sleeve surrounding the sleeve 9, as seen best in Fig. 2, and this sleeve has secured thereto at its outer end a screw-threaded concaved collar or hub 24, within which the Shanks of the linkes have a partial bearing, as seen in Fig. 2, these tlukes being provided with the notches 13, as above described, upon their diametrically-opposite sides, those upon the one side engaging with the toothed portions 12 of the grab S, While those upon `the other side engage with the notches or teeth 25 on the outer face of the hub 24, as seen in Figs. l and 2.

The sleeve 23 is provided with a slot 34, which extends circumferentially thereof for a greater or less distance and in which works a pin 35 secured to and projecting from the sleeve 9. The inner end of this tube is toothed or notched, as shown at 36, to form one portion of a clutch, the remaining portion of which will now be described. This remaining portion 37 is mounted to slide upon the tube or sleeve 9 and is provided with the notches 3S to engage with the notches of the part 23, as shown best in Fig. l, and this movable part of the clutch is adapted to not only slide lengthwise of the tube, but is mounted for partial rotation thereon. It is actuated both in its sliding and rotary movement by means of an arm or lever 39,which is forked, as at 40, to engage the said movable part of the clutch and extends to within convenient reach of the engineer or other attendant. The shanks of the linkes have inner screwthreaded ends 4l, extending from base portions 42 resting in recesses in the hub 20, as seen best in Fig. 4, the said widened base portions for base-flanges to produce a bearin gsnrface for the movement of the linkes or blades and also to strengthen the same. These Shanks are engaged by nuts 43, which extend into recesses in the adjacent portions of the hub and are applied to the said sh an ks through the central opening in the hub to secure the lnkes or blades against disconnection, and after the nuts are in position pins may be driven thereinto. Any tendency of the linkes or blades to become disconnected is also obviated by the turn heads or buttons 2],Which are itted in recesses in the hub and have their adjacent ends extending over the adjacent portions of the langes at the base of the flnkes or blades, the said turn buttons or heads being secured by means of the screws i 44, as seen clearly in Fig. 4.

In Fig. 5 we have Shown the collar 37 as provided with a series of circumferential teeth 45, which are adapted to be engaged by a toothed segment 46 arranged at right angles to and in a vertical plane to a longitudinally disposed operating-lever 39.

In operation the shaft l when moved longitudinally against the action of the spring 32 throws the grab 8 outward and disengages the toothed spider-arms thereof from the teeth in the linkes or blades l5. The clutch connection is then manipulated to engage the clutch, when the collar or movable part 37 thereof is partially rotated to oscillate the hub and the' linkes orblades carried thereby, which, it will be understood, are now in engagement with the segmental teeth on the head 24, and through the oscillating movement thus obtained the said linkes or blades will be turned in a plane at right angles to the head.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is-` 1. In a propeller, the combination with the main shaft and a toothed grab secured to one end thereof, of a hub mounted on the end of said shaft, revoluble nukes or blades rotatably monnted on the hub and adapted to be held against movement by engagement with the toothed arms of said grab, means for moving said shaft lengthwise relatively to said hub for disengaging said grab from said flnkes, and means for rotating said linkes, substantially as and for the purpose dcscribed.

2. In a propeller, the combination with the main shaft and a toothed grab secured to one end thereof, of a hub mounted on the end of said shaft, revolnble dukes or blades rotat ably mounted on the hub and having teeth on opposite sides thereof, one set of which teeth are engaged by said toothed grab, a collar mounted for limited rotation on said shaft, a tlanged head secured to said collar and provided with teeth which are adapted to engage teeth on the opposite side of said fiukes, means for moving said shaft lengthwise relatively to said hub for disengaging said grab from said dukes, and means for rotating said collar, whereby said flnkes are turned on their axes, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. In a propeller, the combination with the main shaft and a toothed grab secured to one end thereof, of a hub mounted on the end of said shaft, revolnble linkes or blades rotatably mounted on the said hub having teeth on opposite sides thereof, one set of which is engaged by the toothed arms of said grab, a iixed sleeve surrounding said shaft having a longitudinal slot therein through which passes a pin secured to said shaft, a collar surrounding said sleeve and adapted to engage said pin, a lever pivoted to said collar and fnlcrumed in a suitable standard or support, whereby said shaft may be moved lengthwise relatively to said hub, a second sleeve mounted for limited rotary movement on said lirst sleeve, and provided with notches at its rear end, a flanged head secured to said sleeve and having teeth which are adapted to engage the other set of teeth on said flnkes,

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a clutch having teeth adapted to engage the notches in said sleeve, means for throwing said clutch into and out of engagement with said sleeve, and afterward rotating the same, substantially as and for the Purpose described.

In testimony whereof We have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses. Y

J ULIUS W. FLOWERS. MINOR J. FOX. Witnesses: J. G.' PORTER,

W. S. INGALLS. 

